Weapons Complaint Prompts Heavy Police Response

A large police presence could be seen in the area of 32nd St and 25th Ave, Vernon, just after 12pm on Tuesday, September 3rd. Vernon North Okanagan RCMP received a call from a concerned member of the general public, who reported seeing a man in possession of what appeared to be a long gun or rifle, while travelling in a vehicle north bound on Highway 97, near Lake Country BC. The complaint elicited a full precautionary police response, resulting in multiple frontline officers responding and locating the vehicle near Polson Park in Vernon.

The two individuals were fully cooperative with police and were detained without incident. Police located and confirmed the weapon seen to be a long range paint ball gun.

RCMP take all firearm complaints seriously, given the potential threat to public and police safety. Our officers treat every weapon or firearm as real until proven they are not, says RCMP Cst. Kelly Brett. It is incredibly important for people to realize that airsoft or paint ball weapons can look and feel very real, and pose great risk to those who have them in their possession when not in a controlled environment.

The two males were issued a verbal warning by police and released from custody, however the vehicle was impounded under the Motor Vehicle Act for mechanical inspection.

North Okanagan RCMP are requesting the public’s assistance in locating a missing Falkland resident. Bjorn Collnes was last seen on September 9, at 1:30m while travelling en-route from Falkland to Kamloops.